Winterstorm – Troon Town Hall

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Review By Darren McIntyre Photos By Scott Anderson

The Treatment

Winterstorm is a festival held in Troon Town Hall that has been rocking the Ayrshire coast since 2016 and has seen many of the world’s top acts grace the main stage and bring us the best music has to offer. This weekend is a little different as we are mixing it up with many acts being here for the first time, many are returnees and many it is a welcome visit that will see them playing in the UK for the very fisrt time, I rock up and collect my media pass and head into the Town Hall where I see many familiar faces from the last 8 years and that puts a smile on my face. The place has a real buzz about it as we feel the energy oozing from every pour of this classic rock weekend that is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face, as the main hall fills up we can feel the excitement, music build as we await the main stage openers- my buddies and a real rock n roll juggernaut that was a fantastic choice to bring this incredible festival to life, AC / DC bellows from the house PA as these 5 rock stars saunter onto the stage cos it’s 5 o’clock somewhere right –

Let’s Wake Up This Town – A crunching power drenched guitar assault pours from the intro as Tom’s phenomenal vocals kick in the door and let this monster loose. The rhythm section is front and centre as a thumping snare drum beat lets the bass kicks drive this roaring opener down the road as a full on bassline wraps itself around this colossal beast as the band pick up where they left off and really give us a solid gritty foot stomping track that is letting these boys break new ground with this fantastic track that lets the shredding guitar licks do their thing and let this beast loose as we feel the energy, swagger and attitude bring us together with these boys. The doors have been well and truly ripped off as we feel the energy ripping right through Troon tonight, Tom steps forward and thanks us for coming out and partying with him and the boys and he thanks us for allowing them the honour to open this incredible festival. up next –

Let It Begin – Thundering snare drum punches that come with cymbal crashes get this colossal track off the ground as we jump up and down with swagger to this awesome track. The groove is just electric as the whole band just rise to the occassion and really let things go with energy that is on the next level. Vocals are just insane as they bring a real rasping gritty vibe to this pounding beast of a track that comes kicking in the doors with a cool slick crisp solo that has depth and real groove as Tagore winds up the beat with cool sizzling picks that are just on the money. I can say that this early in and I am just hooked by the energy and rawness that these boys bring to this grand old venue tonight as the boys whip this excited crowd into a freazy before we jump up and down to this infectious brand of rock n roll, the place is just buzzing for these boys as they are becoming one of the go to bands atm, coming thick and fast is –

Eyes On You – A shredding riff oozes from the stage as this monster rears it’s head and off we go as Tom brings his colossal vocals that really give this track an edgy feel as the boys bring it. The rhythm section is coming at us from the back of the room as this fist pumping, foot stomping beast really punches us straight in the face with it’s rawness, attitude & swagger as Tag steps forward and melts faces in the front row as we rock out with these boys. The place is bouncing as we feel the energy coming from this energetic 5 piece juggernaut as they build and build with their infectious riffs, full on bassline and a rasping guitar salvo that just punches you straight in the face and then some, coming next is the rocking –

Hang Them High – Tom saunters to the front of the stage and tells us to get our hands in the air as this rocking beast erupts and has everyone rocking and rolling. The rhythm section is coming at us with a solid pounding snare drum beat that brings cymbal crashes raining down on us as we get to grips with these lads as they deliver a non stop rock n roll show, the vocals are strong and really give this track energy as the twin guitar riffs are ripping the roof off this place as the boys build and build and deliver a no nonsense show that is just ticking all the boxes with their endless energy that is getting everyone up on their feet and partying like it’s 5 o’clock somewhere right – next up

Man On A Highwire – A sludgy sleazy guitar lick wanders effortlessly through the intro as the full on bassline drops the hammer and brings us a sweet cool funk arrangement. The soaring vocals are hitting us with a gravelly tone that allows this track to break free and lead the charge with a punchy bass kick that brings snare drum beats that let the ctmbal crashes lead this foot stomping monster down the road, the killer bassline is wrapping itself around this sleazy monster as the boys just offload with a killer groove that lets this fantastic slab deliver a track that just gets better with every note that comes our way. The boys have brought us a delicious dark melodic beast that needs to be heard. This is certainly the best way to kick off the best Festival in Scotland for sure, Tom bellows out how we doing which bring a huge cheer from this swelling crowd as we move onto –

When The Thunder & Lightening Strike – A dark brooding bassline comes through and wraps itself around the solid guitar licks that are coming for us with a real vengeful groove that is just incredible. The punchy rhythm section hir=ts us with cool cymbal crashes that are followed by a solid snare drum beat that gives this arrangement a real solid grounding, the boys are bringing us a cool well crafted slab of rock n roll that just elevates these boys to another level. The twin guitar assault works really well as the whole unit builds and builds. The tempo changes pace a little and we get a shuddering punch from the rhythm section that really gives this track meaty hooks with a rocking beat that is just incredible. This is a real cool opening act that knows how to build up an audience for sure as we roll into –

Departed – A real sludgy shredding guitar riff erupts as the boys get us all hot under the collar with this fast, furious rock n roll groover that just punches us straight in the face. The rhythm section is pounding away from the back of the room as this growling beast brings us snare drum punches and killer bass kicks that let the track unfold, the soaring vocals are filling every corner of this old building as the deep full on bassline is dropping epic funk grooves that just allow this track to tell it’s own story. The guitar riffs are solid, full on and really let this track deliver a soaring groove that just lets us know that the boys are ready, willing and able to rock our socks off and then some – up next

This Fire Still Burns – A shredding guitar riff wanders freely through the track as roaring vocals kick in and let this fist pumping rock n roller break free. The rhythm section is a towering monster that hits us with a meaty groove with bass kicks and cymbal crashes that work extremely well in this sizzling beast of a track, a sweet clean guitar solo ripples through the mid section as these boys offload with a slick clean shred that tells us that these boys mean business with this colossal rampageing monster that is kicking in the doors and delivering a tornado of emotions that are building and building as this epic slab just gets better and better. The place is buzzing with the energy oozing from the stage as the boys roll into –

On The Money – A cool thundering bass line is the order of the day as the deep meaty chords drive this juggernaut forward. The rhythm section is giving us pounding grooves that bring in bass kicks that really mix with cymbal crashes that are giving this track some heat. Vocals are just fantastic as they bring in the cool raspy tones that bring this fantastic composition together, guitar riffs are flowing freely through this track and drop sweet crisp licks that have a real edgy feel as Tagore just delivers sweet tones that are sharp and to the point, the audience, Tom steps forward and thanks us for coming out early and tells us that him and the boys appreciate each and every one of us as we cheer loudly and roll into –

Bite Back – An AC / DC style riff pours from the stage tonight as the boys get us ready to sing as Tom commands us to get our act together as the boys step forward and drop slick cool riffs that get us all fired up as this pounding rock n roll monster brings the heat. The punchy groove has killer bass kicks that bring cymbal crashes that let the rhythm section take us on the journey with these boys as they are really enjoying this epic show that has brought real life to Troon this afternoon. The boys step forward and offload with awesome solos that just smack you straight in the face with real intensity that has us all fist pumping and getting our funk on as we stroll into the epic –

The boys get us all to jump jump jump as a deep bass kick rises from the back of the room and gets this rocking beast off the ground. The boys are giving it their all tonight as this killer track brings the heat as Tom lets his awesome vocals do their thing and take this track onwards as we get into this pounding monster that lets the boys cut loose and hit us with all they have, we are throwing our horns in the air as this melodic arrangement really builds with each chord that flows from the stage tonight. This is a real crowd pleaser as the place is jumping and singing along to every word as the boys bring it, up next –

Shake The Mountain – The track opens with a plundering bass line that gets us in the mood with deep funk laden chords that combine with snare drum punches that are on fire. Guitar riffs are pouring into the track and really deliver slick cool shreds that bring this whole track together, vocals are bellowing into the night and really deliver with deep rasping tones that really give this track bite. Guitar riffs are coming at us with the twin assault and really open our eyes and drive forward with crisp clean licks that have energy, depth and swagger to get rocking to the very end. Tom tells us Troon it was our pleasure to open this incredible festival and we will see you all soon.

The Treatment –

Tom Rampton – Vocals

Tagore Grey – Guitar / Backing Vocals

Tao Grey – Guitar / Backing Vocals

Andy Milburn – Bass

Dhani Mansworth – Drums

Setlist –

Let’s Wake Up This Town

Let It Begin

Eyes On You

Hang Them High

Man On A Highwire